Account Manager in Lincoln

Full-time, permanent, office based, Lincoln, UK. £35k - £45k dependent on experience plus performance-related bonus.

Minimum 2 years’ experience – ideally 3-5 years. We’re looking for a flexible, ambitious, commercially aware Account Manager to join our brand, design, and digital agency. You’ll join a collaborative and experienced team that values strategic thinking, creative excellence, and long-term client partnerships. Working alongside fellow Account Managers and our project support team, you’ll be supported by our Account Director and Managing Director as you nurture our existing client relationships and develop your own client portfolio.

This role will have a particular focus on our portfolio of both national and international organisations – including global federations, NGOs, and purpose-led institutions – while also supporting a broader mix of UK clients. Optima have been delivering strategic brand, print, and digital communications for over 30 years. We partner with organisations that want to inform, influence, and inspire – helping them communicate clearly and confidently across multiple channels and languages.

The role:

• As Account Manager, you will act as a trusted partner to your clients – building a deep understanding of their objectives, challenges and audiences, and translating these into clear and commercially sound briefs for our studio team.
• You will work alongside the creative team to deliver amazing projects and results for our clients.
• You will manage a varied portfolio of accounts, balancing strategy with day-to-day delivery. This is a role for someone adaptable and confident – able to move between sectors, projects, and stakeholders with ease.
• The role includes quarterly European travel to meet clients in person, typically for short business trips of one to two days.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage and develop a portfolio of client accounts, with a focus on international organisations.
• Build strong, long-term relationships based on trust, insight, and proactive communication.
• Develop a deep understanding of each client’s strategy, governance structure, and commercial environment.
• Translate client objectives into clear creative briefs for internal design and digital teams.
• Present concepts and deliverables confidently – both virtually and in person.
• Prepare accurate quotations and negotiate agreements to ensure commercial viability.
• Manage difficult conversations and work hard to keep projects on schedule and delivered to Optima quality.
• Identify opportunities to grow accounts and cross-sell agency services.
• Work closely with the project support team to establish realistic schedules and manage budgets.
• Act as the primary point of contact for client queries and requests.
• Monitor progress against scope, budget, and timeline.
• Conduct post-project reviews to drive continuous improvement.
• Carry out regular forecasting and financial reporting for client accounts.
• Support new business activity, including pitches and tender submissions.
• Maintain accurate records within the internal CRM system.

About you:

• At least two year’s experience in account management within a creative or digital agency – or transferable experience from a demanding client-facing role.
• Experience working with international or multi-stakeholder organisations is highly desirable.
• Commercially aware, with confidence discussing budgets, scope, and profitability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to interpret complex or technical information into structured briefs.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams.
• Resilient, proactive, and solutions-focused.
• A genuine interest in brand, communications, and digital.
• Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office – familiarity with Adobe Acrobat for commenting is beneficial.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Passport holder.
• Willingness to travel within Europe on short business trips.

How to apply:

Apply using the form below. Please ensure you send us: Your CV (Maximum 18MB) and a Cover Letter. PDFs and Word Documents only. Max file size 20MB.

Hybrid Working: Optional home working for up to two days a week, the rest of the week office-based to help support and mentor junior staff and collaborate as a team. Available after probationary period and on agreement with line manager.

Flexibility: Flexibility on start and finish times and arrangements around childcare – just ask and we’ll accommodate if we can.

Training & Support: Access to training resources and courses, regular reviews and being part of a dynamic team sharing ideas, learning from one another and mentoring less experienced members of the team.

Employee Recognition: Each month, the team choose an Optimite who has been more of a star than usual! The winner is rewarded with a meal out for two on us.

Team Treats: Most treats come in the form of food and drink – breakfast butties, lunches, ice creams in summer, and Friday afternoon drinks in our bar.

Festive Fun: In December it’s time to get dressed up and celebrate the year’s achievements with an end-of-year Christmas party featuring secret santa, the smartie awards, and much more!

Great Office & Kit: Our office is the converted Duke of Wellington pub – it’s pretty cool, full of character and quirky features, we have extensively refurbished it to provide a modern and comfortable office.